Development of a Probiotic-Infused Carbamazepine Dosage Form

We describe the development of a probiotic-infused carbamazepine dosage form. This dosage form combines carbamazepine with probiotics, proposing the potential use of both active pharmaceutical ingredients in a single dosage form.

Evaluation of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus susceptibility to carbamazepine using agar disk diffusion revealed the B. bifidum was resistant to carbamazepine, prompting its selection for development of the dosage form. A suspension was formulated using the precipitation method with stability testing assessing organoleptic properties, pH, and viability of the bacteria in the dosage form. Toxicity assessment was done using 20 male albino Wistar rats, measuring weight, urination, and anxiety changes postadministration of carbamazepine and probiotics, following ethical approval from the University of Zimbabwe's animal house laboratory and board.

Rats receiving only B. bifidum exhibited heightened anxiety and reduced weight, while those receiving carbamazepine alone increased weight and urination but lowered anxiety. Combining carbamazepine with B. bifidum significantly decreased anxiety (P=0.0312) and increased urination, with significant weight reduction (P=0.03186). The dosage form maintained stability, preserving B. bifidum viability over a period of 28 days.

Integrating probiotics into carbamazepine formulations offers a promising strategy, with potential applications to other antiepileptic drugs.